Toxic arylsulfonyl alkenenitriles



United States Patent 3,159,532 TQXIC ARYLSULFONYL ALKENENITRILES Samuel Allen Heininger, Warsou Woods, Mo., and Gail H. I

lilirum, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to Monsanto Company, a corporation of Delaware 7 No Drawing. Filed Aug. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 836,331

. 17 Claims. (Cl. 167-3ti) This invention relates to novel arylsulfonyl alkenenitriles; to methods for the control of microorganisms using these nitriles and to certain novel compositions comprising these nitriles which inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application SN. 65 6,- 200, filed May l, 1957.

The novel compounds of the invention are arylsulfonyl alkenenitriles having the formula fluorine, hydrogen and alkyl radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer from 1 to 5.

An examination of each of these formulas above will indiv cate that the compounds can exist in both the cisand trans-isomeric forms. It is intended that both the cisand trans-forms of each of these structures be covered by the above formulas.

it is an object of this invention to provide new compounds which are arylsulfonyl alkenenitriles.

It is another object of this invention to provide new and efl'ective biological toxicant compositions which have as an active ingredient therein an arylsulfonyl alkenenitrile.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method of inhibiting the growth of undesired microorganisms by the application of the inventive arylsulfonyl alkenenitriles to these microorganisms.

It is another object of this invention to provide new soil compositions which inhibit the growth of fungi.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new method of treating soil to kill or inhibit the growth of fungi.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new method of treating soil to prevent substantial fungicidal damage to germination of seeds and the growth of plants in the soil.

These and other objectsof the invention will become apparent as a detailed description of the invention proceeds.

There are shown below a number of specific new compounds of the invention. It is not intended that this be a complete listing of all the compounds of the invention, but that it merely be illustrative thereof. The following are 3,159,532 Patented Dec. 1, 1964 a listing of a number of the arylsulfonyl alkenenitriles: 3-(phenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 2 (phenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile; 3 (2 chlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 3-(3- chlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 3-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 2-(2 chlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 2- 3 -chlorophenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile, 2- (4-chlorophenylsnlfonyl)acrylonitrile; 3 (2,4 dichlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 2-( 2,4 dichlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile; 3 (pentachlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 2- (pentachlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, etc.

An examination of the above-listed compounds only as to the nuclear substitution indicate that not every one of the possible novel compounds of the'invention is named specifically. For example, only one of the dichloro isomers is named; no trichloroand no tetrachloro-compounds are named. Nevertheless, it is intended to cover all these compounds as well as others covered by the general formula but not specifically named.

The following is a non-limiting listing of a number of the new bromoarylsulfonyl acrylonitriles: 3-(2-bromophenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile, 3- 3-bromophenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile, 3-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 2- Z-bromophenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile, 2- (3-bromophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 2-(4 bromophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile; 3-(2,4 dibromophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 2- (2,4 bromophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile; 3-(pentabromophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 2 (pentabromophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, etc.

It is also intended to cover under the general formula compounds containing both bromoand chloro-substituents on the phenylsulfonyl group and the following are a non-limiting list thereof: 3-(2-bromo-4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 2-(2,4-dibromo 3 chlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, etc.

Some of the novel compounds of the invention of the iodophenylsulfonyl acrylonitrile type are shown in the following non-limiting list: 3 (2 iodophenylsulfonyl) 'acrylonitrile, 2-(4-iodophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 3-(2,

4-diiodophenylsulfonyl acrylonitrile, 2- 3,4-diiodophenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile, 3-(2,3 diiodophenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile, 2 (2-iodo-4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, etc.

For a non-limiting list of the fluorophenylsulfonyl acryfonyl) acrylonitrile, 2- (4-n-hexylphenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 3-(2,4,S-trichlorophenylsulfonyl)cinnamonitrile, 3-

(4-tclylsulfonyl)-2-ethylacrylonitrile, 3-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-2-methylacrylonitrile, etc.

Other compounds which are not covered by the general formula above but which can be prepared in a similar manner are the naphthylsulfonyl acrylonitriles, e.g., Z-(B-naphthylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 2-(fi-chloro-a-naphthylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, etc.

The novel compounds of the invention are normally prepared by the dehydrohalogenation of the corresponding arylsulfonyl haloalkanenitrile by heat and/ or the employment of a basically reacting material such as triethylamine, sodium or potassium hydroxide, pyridine, etc., to aid the dehydrohalogenation. However, another meth- -od of preparation of the novel ot-arylsulfonyl acrylonitriles is by the reaction of formaldehyde in the presence of piperidine with the corresponding arylsulfonyl acetonitrile. The arylsulfonyl haloalkane nitriles can be prepared by the controllyed oxidation of the corresponding arylthio haloalkane nitrile using KMnO CrO H in acetic acid, and similar oxidizing agents, as described in detail in our copending application, Serial No. 656,199, filed May 1, 1957. The arylthio haloalkane nitriles can be readily prepared by a variety of methods including the addition of alkyl-, halo-, or unsubstituted arylsulfenyl chlorides or bromides to acrylonitrile to give mixtures of the corresponding 3 or 2-halo- 2 or B-(phenylthio)propionitriles, the adidtion of alkylor halo-substituted thiophenols to alpha haloacrylonitriles to give 2-halo-3-(phenylthio)- propionitriles or by reaction of sodium or potassium alkylor halo-substituted thiophenolates with 2,3-dichloropropionitrile. Also other methods of preparation of these arylthio haloalkanenitriles will be obvious to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of specific examples thereof:

Example 1 This is an example of the preparation of 3-(4-chloro phenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile.

This example is described starting with the preparation of the reaction product of acrylonitrile and p-chlorobenzenesulfenyl chloride. A sample of 374 g. (2.09 moles) of p-chlorobenzenesulfenyl chloride was placed in a flask with 300 m1. of dry benzene and to it was slowly added 159 g. (3.0 moles) of acrylonitrile. The flask and contents were heated to 50 C. at which point the evolution of HCl was noted, so the heating was discontinued. An exothermic reaction carried the temperature up to 60 C. in ten or fifteen minutes which caused more I-ICl evolution. The flask contents were cooled back to 50 C., but the reaction mixture remained exothermic raising the temperature to 55 C. again, at which time both the reaction and the HCl evolution seemed to subside. The reaction mixture was then heated to reflux and refluxed for 1 /2 hours after which time 100 ml. of glacial acetic acid was added to the reaction mixture, and the red color of the contents of the flask quickly changed to a brownish yellow. The flask contents were refluxed for an additional A2 hour after which time the solvent was stripped from the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was then distilled and after first taking a small forerun, there was obtained a distillate comprising at least two fractions, weighing 307 g. (63.5% yield). Considerable decomposition was evident during the distillation judging by the HCl lighter in color and a somewhat exothermic reaction took place near the end of the addition with the temperature rising to 70 C. Cooling was employed to reduce and maintain the temperature between '50-60" C. After all Found Calcd. for

G9H7C1ZNOZS Percent:

C 41. O2 '10. H 3. 07 2. 67 N 5. 39 5. 3 S 12. 16 12. 1 Cl 26. 73 26. 8

This product was shown to be 2-chloro-3-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl propionitrile.

Asample of 1.3 g. (0.005 mole) of the sulfone prepared immediately above was dissolved in a mixture of 20 ml. of ethyl alcohol and 50 ml. of ethyl ether. To the solution was added 1.0 g. (0.01 mole) of triethylamine. A white solid soon precipitated and after the flask contents had stood for 1 hour in an ice bath the solid was filtered from the reaction mixture giving 0.6 g. (87.5%) of the HCl salt of triethylamine. Most of the ether was evaporated from the filtrate, and upon cooling, there was obtained 0.36 g. of a white solid. Recrystallization from an ethanol-water mixture gave white plates, M.P. 138139 C. An elemental analysis of the purified solid product gave the following results:

Example 2 This example illustrates an alternate preparation of 3- (4-chlorcphenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile.

To a solution of 43.3 g. (0.3 mole) of p-chlorothiophenol in 75 m1. of dioxane containing 5 ml. of 50% aqueous choline (Z-hydroxyethyltrimethylammonium hydroxide) was added 26.3 g. (0.3 mole) of a-chloroacrylonitrile. There was an immediate exothermic reaction during the addition, and the reaction temperature was held at 3540 C. by cooling. After addition was complete, the reaction mixture was stirred for /2 hour at 30-40" C., and then poured into ice water. The oil which separated was extracted with ether, dried and the ether removed by evaporation. On distillation there was collected 55 g. (79% yield) of 3-(4-chlorophenylthio)-2-chloropropionitrile, as a yellow liquid, B.P. 147-148 C./0.6 mm, 21 1.5885, analyzing correctly for C H CI NS and having an OL-ChlOl'O structure by infrared analysis. On standing, the oil solidified. Recrystallization from ethanol gave a white solid, M.P. 3940 C.

The next step in the preparation of the desired compound is the oxidation of the 3-(4-chlorophenylthio)-2- chloropropionitrile to 3-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-2-chloropropionitrile using KMnO as the oxidizing agent. A sample of 4.6 g. (0.02 mole) of the 3-(4-chlorophenylthio)-2-chloropropionitrile was dissolved in 200 ml. of glacial acetic acid, and a solution (not quite complete) of KMnO, (6 g.) in 600 ml. of water was added slowly. The color of the reaction mixture developed and turned muddy brown. When all the KMnO, was in, the reaction mixture was allowed to stand for 10-15 minutes; then sodium bisulfite was added with stirring until decolon'zation of the reaction mixture occurred. Ice and waterwere added to the slightly cloudy colorless reaction mixture to make up a 1500 ml. solution. A white solid precipitated from the chilled solution and was filtered therefrom and dried. It weighed 4.1 g. (79%), M.P. 91-92 C. The solid was recrystallized from ethanol-water solution giving 3.9 g. of white needles, M.P. 92-93 C. This material is 2-chloro-3-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)propionitrile in a slightly purer form than was obtained in Example 1. V

A sample of 1.3 g. of this sulfone was dissolved in 100 ml. of ethyl ether. To this solution was'added 1.0 g. of triethyla-mine, and immediately a precipitate appeared of triethylamine hydrochloride. This white precipitate was filtered from the reaction mixture and the solvent removed under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in hot ethyl alcohol, decolorized with charcoal and upon cooling, gave 0.7 g. of white needles, M.P. 141.5-142 C. An elemental analysis of these white needles give the following results:

Calcd. for CQHGCINOZS Found Percent:

A mixed melting point between the dehydrohalogena-ted sulfone of this example and the dehydrohalogenated sulfone ofExample 1 showed no melting point depression indicating that these materials are identical, namely 3-(4- chlorophenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile.

Example Distillation of the residue gave an 87% yield of a 4-tolylthio-chloropropionitrile, B.P. 141-144 CL/ 1.8 mm., 71

1.5680, believed to be predominantly the a-chloro-B- tolylthio isomer. Elemental analysis gave the following results:

Found Calcd. for CwHmClNS Percent:

Oxidation of 84.6 g. of this product by hydrogen peroxide in glacial acetic acid by the method describedin Example 1, gave 97 g. of white solid, M.P. 8283 C. upon recrystallization from ethanol. Elemental analysis of this product, 2-chloro-3-(4-tolylsulfonyl)propionitrile, gave the following results:

Found Caled. for V CmHmClNOzS Percent:

6 Dehydrochlorination of this 2-chloro-3-sulfonylpropioni-trile with triethylamine by the procedure of Example 1 gave 81% of 3-(4-tolylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, white needies from ethanol, M.P. l31132 C.

Found Caled. for

CwHsNOzS Percent:

Example 4 This example illustrates the preparation of 3-(phenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile.

2-chloro-3-(phenylthio)propionitrile was prepared by the choline-catalyzed addition of thiophenol to a-chloroacrylonitrile according to the procedure of Example 2, to give an 85% yield, M.P. 115-1l6 C./0.3 mm., n

Found Calcd. for CsHaClNS Percent:

Oxidation to the corresponding sulfone was accomplished by the method of Example 1, using hydrogen peroxide in glacial acetic acid, to give 62% of white needles (from ethanol) of 2-chloro-3-(phenylsulfonyl) propionitrile, M.P. 106 C.

Found Caled. for

CBHSCINOZS Percent:

O 46. 9 47.1 H 3. 5 3. 5 Cl 15.3 15. 5 N 5. 8 6.1 S 14. 2 13. 9

Dehydrochlorination by triethylam-ine as described in Example 1 gave 87 of 3-(phenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, as white needles, M.P. 102-403 C.

phenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile.

A mixture of 43.1 g. (0.2 mole) of 4-chlorophenylsulfonylacetonitrile (M.P. 167-168 C., prepared from sodium 4-chlorothiophenate and chloroacetonitrile, followed by oxidation With 30% H 0 6.0 g. of paraformaldehyde, 6 ml. of piperidine and 200 m1. of benzone was heated to reflux and the water evolved was collected in a Dean-Stark trap. After 5 hours, 11 ml. of water was collected. The red solution was then concentrated under vacuum, leaving a dark red mass. To this is added 2.0 g. of phosphorus pentoxide and 0.5 g. of hydroquinone and the whole is subjected to a high temperature vacuum distillation at 0.5-2.0 mm. pressure to give a low yield of the desired monomeric 2-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile.

.7 Example 6 This example describes the preparation of a mixture of 3-(t0lylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile isomers.

In a one liter fiask was placed 124 grams (1 mole) of a mixture of thiocresol isomers predominately meta. To this flask was then added 40 grams (1.0 mole) of sodium hydroxide in 400 ml. of water with cooling and stirring to keep the temperature down. To the stirred solution in the flask was gradually added 123.7 grams (1.0 mole) of 2,3-dichloropropionitrile over a period of about to hour using external cooling to keep the temperature below about 40 C. The reaction mixture was stirred for two additional hours after which time the reaction mixture was extracted with ether. The ether layer was washed with water and then dried. After the drying step the ether was removed under reduced pressure. The resulting residual product was a red liquid, 12 1.5702, weight 199 grams. This represents a 94% yield of 3-(toluenethio)-2-chloropropionitrile isomers intermediate product.

A sample of 84.5 grams (0.4 mole) of the intermediate product described in the paragraph above was placed in a one liter flask and diluted with 400 ml. glacial acetic acid. Then 35 ml. of aqueous 30% hydrogen peroxide was added to the flask at room temperature causing an exothermic reaction and a temperature rise to 3839 C. before the reaction subsided. An additional 35 ml. of hydrogen peroxide was added causing only a slight temperature rise. Then 20 ml. and 45 ml. quantities of hydrogen peroxide were added for a total of 135 ml. of added hydrogen peroxide. The reactants were stirred for an additional 5 hours at 25 -30 C. and allowed to stand at room temperature over the week-end. The next Monday, the flask contents were poured into 1.5 liters of ice and water, and a very viscous light yellow oil separated. The mixture was extracted with ether, the ether layer was washed once with water, and then the ether evaporated from the ether layer. The residual crude product was heated under water aspirator vacuum to remove small remaining amounts of ether, water and acetic acid. The residual product remaining was a light yellow viscous oil weighing 86.3 grams representing an 88.5% yield of the desired mixed 3-(tolylsulfonyl)-2- chloropropionitrile isomers.

A sample of 20.6 grams (0.085 mole) of the mixture 3-(tolylsulfonyl) -2-chloropropionitrile isomers was placed in a beaker and dissolved in 300 ml. of ether. To this solution was added a stoichiometric excess of the triethylamine over that necessary to dehydrochlorinate the 3-(tolylsulfonyl)-2-chloropropionitriles and an exotherm- .ic reaction occurred and triethylamine hydrochloride precipitated out of the reaction mixture. The precipitate was removed by filtration and dried. The dried precipitate weighed 10.7 g. indicating a 92% yield of the 3- (tolylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile isomers. The ether solution of the product was distilled under vacuum keeping the temperature below room temperature. A solid product was left weighing 14.8 g. (85% yield).

Example 7 For the evaluation of the bacteriostatic and fungistatic effects of these new compounds, the product of Example 2 was chosen, namely, the compound 3-(4- chlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile. This compound was mixed in predetermined concentrations with hot, sterile agar which was subsequently poured into Petri dishes, cooled and allowed to harden. Nutrient agar containing the test compounds was then inoculated with the bacteria M icrococcus pyogenes var. aureus and Salmonella typhosa and incubated for 2 days at 37 C., and Sabourauds dextrose agar containing the test compounds were inoculated with the fungus organism Aspergillus niger and incubated for 5 days at 20 C. These tests showed inhibition of the Micrococcus pyogenes at down to 10 parts per million concentration of the compound tested, and

, an inert carrier.

inhibition of the growth of the Salmonella typhosa and the Aspergillus niger down to 1 part per million concentration of the compound tested. Thus, it will be seen that these materials are extremely potent bacteriostats and fungistats. Usually these novel compounds will be applied as bacteriostats or fungistats at concentrations in the range of 0.0001% to 1.0%, preferably 0.001% to 0.1%, suspended, dispersing or dissolved in Can be used in stronger concentration, if desired, except if used on plants in less than a phytotoxic amount.

To illustrate the wide field of usage of the present bacteriostats and fungistats, there is appended below a table showing minimum concentrations of 3-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile inhibiting growth of various test organisms.

Lowest Lowest Bacteriostatic Test p.p.m.1n- Fungistatic Test 1: pm. In- Organism hibiting Organism tbitlng Growth Growth Mierococcus py ogenes var. Aspergillus uiger IPC auraus ATCC 6538 1 144 1O Streptococcus faecalls Pem'cillium erpansum ATOO 9790 1 6 1 Bacillus cereus var. Fumes auuoaus FPL mg coides IPC 509 1 1 Corayebaczerium diph- Memnouiella echz'uata theriae ATOC 296 1 ATOO 9597 1 Bacterium a'mmoniageues Hormiscium gelatino- ATGC 6871 1 sum FPL 595 1 Mucobacterlum phlei 'lrichoderma sp. T-l

(St. Louis) 1 ATG C 9645 10 Escherichia coll ATOC CIzaalomium glnbosum 11229 10 USDA 1032.4. 1 Aerobacler aerogeues IPO Ceratostomellu pllifera 500 10 ATOC 8713 1 Erwluia atroseptica Aspergillus oryzae 74 10 ATCO 10 196 10 Proteus vulgarls (Lam- Cladosporium herbert) 1 barum ATCC 6506.. 1 Salmonella typhosa (Hop- Allemarz'a teuuis kins strain) 1 ATCC 11612 1 Pseudomouas aerug osa Myrothecz'um venu- QMB 1468 caria ATCC 9095 1 Bacillus sublilz's (Lam- Stemphylium sarciuacbert 1 jorme (U. of Ill.) 1 Pseudomouas phaseolicola Monolim'a fructicola 1 (U. ofIll.)- 1 Xaulhomas phaseoli 10 Of the (halophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitriles especially active are the 3-(chlorophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitriles having from 1 to 5 chloro substituents on the phenyl nucleus; however, especially preferred are the 3-(monochlorosulfonyl) acrylonitriles.

Example 8 This example illustrates the testing of the product of Example 3, namely, 3-(4-tolylsulfonyl)acrylonitrileas a soil fungicide. In this test method naturally-infested soil fortified with fungi that incite root rots, stem cankers, seedling blights, and seed decay, is treated with a test chemical and incubated in a sealed container for a period of 24 hours. Seeds are sown in the treated soil which is then incubated at 70 F. for 48 hours before being removed to greenhouse benches. Disease assessments are made two weeks later.

A uniform supply of infested soil containing the following organisms is prepared:

Rhizoctonia solani Fusarium oxysporum f. vasinfectum Sclerotium rolfsz'i Verticillium albo-atrum Pythium ultimum A 6 milliliter aliquot of a 1% stock solution of a test chemical is pipetted into a mason jar containing 600 grams of infested soil. This initial application rate is 100 p.p.m. or approximately 200 lbs. per 6-inch acre. The jar is sealed and the contents are thoroughly mixed by vigorous shaking. The treated soil is incubated at 25 C. for 24 hours and is transferred to 4-inch azalca pots. Fifteen cotton and cucumber seeds are sown in each pot. The

Rating: plants/30 E-Excellent 2630 P-Promising 19-25 FFair 1 1-18 NNo good or less In the evaluation host specificity, injury to shoots and roots, as well as other abnormalities are noted.

It was found that 3-(4-tolylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile was an excellent soil fungicide at a concentration of 100 parts per million and in testing at lower concentrations this soil fungicide showed promising activity at concentrations as low as 25 ppm. As soil fungicides, the most active compounds are the unsubstitutedor alkyl substituted phenylsulfonyl acrylonitriles. Especially desirable as for uses of soil fungicides are such compounds as: '3-(phenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 3-(4-tolylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 3-(2- tolylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 3 (3-tolylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile 3(3,4-xylylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, 3,(3,5-xylylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile, and other 3-(xylylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile isomers.

Example 9 This example describes some miscellaneous biological toxicant data on the products of Examples 3 and 6.

The product of Example 3, i.e., 3-(4-tolylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile has shown in addition to its soil fungicidal activity the following additional activity. This compound has shown microbiological activity at concentrations as low as 100 p.p.m. against the bacteria Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus and Salmonella typhosa, and, fungus organisms Aspergillus niger. Also this compound has shown soap bacteriostatic activity against various bacteria, sometimes at concentrations as low as 10 ppm. This compound has also shown additional microbiological activity as a paint preservative against mixed inocula at concentrations as low as 0.02%. Additionally, this compound has shown crab grass specific herbicidal activity at 0.05% concentrations.

The product of Example 6, Le, 3-(tolylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile mixed isomers, primarily meta, has shown microbiological activity against the bacteria organism Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus and Salmonella typhosa at concentrations as low as 100 p.p.m. and against the fungus organisms Aspergillus niger at concentrations as low as 0.001%. Also this product of Example 6 has shown insecticidal activity in giving 80% kill of yellow fever mosquito larva at concentrations as low as 0.001%.

Thus it is seen that not only are the (halophenylsulfonyl)acrylonitriles active as microbiological toxicants, but also the (alkylphenylsulfonyl)acrylonitriles. Especially preferred of these (alkylphenylsulfonyl)acrylonitriles are the 3-(tolylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile and the 3- (xylylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile. Also active as microbiological toxicants are the (phenylsulfonyl)acrylonitriles, especially the product of Example 4, namely, 3-(phenylsulfonyl acrylonitrile.

As described above, the new compounds of this invention can be applied directly to the microorganisms, the growth of which it is wished to inhibit or can be compounded in emulsion or other form within an inert carrier for application. The compounds of the invention can also be useful active ingredients in nematocidal, insectici dal and herbicidal compositions and applications.

Although the invention has been described in terms of 10 specified embodiments which are set forth in considerable detail, it should be understood that this is by way of illustration only, and that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto, since alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the disclosure. Accordingly, modifications are contemplated which can be made without departing from the spirit of the described invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

- 1. The method of-inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi'which comprises applying to said bacteria and fungi a growth-inhibiting amount of an arylsulfonyl alkenenitrile selected from the class consisting of compounds of the formula RCH=C-CN land the formula wherein R and R are selected from the class consisting of hydrogen and hydrocarbon free of aliphatic unsaturation and containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, Y is selected from the class consisting of chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine, hydrogen and alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and n is an integer from 1 to 5.

2. The method of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi which comprises applying to said bacteria and fungi a growth-inhibiting amount of an arylsulfonyl alkenenitrile of the formula wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said compound is 3 (monochlorophenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said compound is 3- 4-chlorophenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile. I 5. The method of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi which comprises applying to said bacteria and fungi a growth-ilnhibiting amount of an arylsulfonyl alkenenitrile of the formula wherein n is an integer from 0 t0 2.

wherein n is an integer from 0 to 2.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said compound is a mixture of 3-(tolysulfonyl)iacrylonitrile isomers.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said compound is 3- (4-tolylsulfonyl) aerylonitrile.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said compound is 3- phenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile.

13. A composition comprising soil and an amount sufiicient to inhibit the growth of fungus of a compound of the formula 12 wherein n is an integer from 0 to 2 inclusive.

14. A composition of claim 13 wherein said compound is 3-(4-tolylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile.

15. The method of inhibiting the growth of fungi which comprises applying to said fungi a fungicidal amount of 3-(4-tolylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile.

16. The method of inhibiting the growth of fungi which comprises applying to said fungi a fungicidal amount of 3- (phenylsulfonyl) acrylonitrile.

17. The method of inhibiting the growth of fungi which comprises applying to said fungi a fungicidal amount of a compound of the formula H(I7CHCN S|O2 R wherein R is aromatic of less than three rings and not more than 10 carbon atoms with S being attached directly to an aromatic ring of the R group.

No references cited.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 ,159 ,532 December l,- 1964 Samuel Allen Heininger et al.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent req'iiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, line 49, for "1.8" read 1.2 column 12, lines l5-to 18, the formula should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

HC=CHCN Signed and sealed this 1st day of June 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEsT w. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Altcsting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. THE METHOD OF INHIBITING THE GROWTH OF BACTERIA AND FUNGI WHICH COMPRISES APPLYING TO SAID BACTERIA AND FUNGI A GROWTH-INHIBITING AMOUNT OF AN ARYLSULFONYL ALKENENITRILE SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF COMPOUNDS OF THE FORMULA 